2010 Surgeon General Report on Tobacco, WOW!

Tobacco smoke contains a deadly mix of more than 7,000 chemicals. Hundreds are toxic. About 70 can cause cancer. Here are some of the chemicals.

Cancer-Causing Chemicals

• Formaldehyde: Used to embalm dead bodies
• Benzene: Found in gasoline
• Polonium 210: Radioactive and very toxic
• Vinyl chloride: Used to make pipes

Toxic Metals

• Chromium: Used to make steel
• Arsenic: Used in pesticides
• Lead: Once used in paint
• Cadmium: Used to make batteries

Poison Gases

• Carbon monoxide: Found in car exhausts
• Hydrogen cyanide: Used in chemical weapons
• Ammonia: Used in household cleaners
• Butane: Used in lighter fluid
• Toluene: Found in paint thinners